LETTERS: Democracy is a sham

This is nerve shattering! The total combined experience of candidates for Wards 4, 6, 21, 22 and 28 is combined a total of two years in Kwadukuza municipality!
Previously people were asked to become councillors by the townspeople if they were successful in business or in local social/community affairs and were respected and trusted by the community. They were independent and able to deal with their constituents’ issues without political persuasion.
Sadly, now it is the political party that chooses the candidates who thus take instructions from the party and not from the people. It would be far better if ratepayers chose their candidate as they are paying rates to service what they wish for in their constituency.
What we find now is that we are paying rates to support an army of unnecessary councillors (one on the candidates list plus one per proportional list, per ward). This means that for 30 wards we get 60 councillors, who, bar a few independents, are political party cadres who do what they are instructed by their party and pay no attention to the plight of the townspeople who blindly and unknowingly “voted” them into power.
Our democracy is consequently a sham!
RAY MILLICAN
Ballito

You have a point, but two elections – one to choose a candidate and another to reaffirm that candidate – would be overkill – Editor.